~Chapter 13: Awkward Conversations - Nieka's part~
Nieka tried to reach for an apple with her cuffed hand that hung awkwardly by her head as she crouched in the grass. The hand attached to it didn't budge, all she got for her effort was a sore wrist. She figured he was just enjoying her plan backfiring on her.
This theory was confirmed by his pleasant smirk and laughing eyes. If her mother wasn't spying on them through the window, she'd be tempted to slap the smug look right off his face.
This job was going to take a lot longer without the use of both hands. It had been his idea and she had thought they were somewhat getting along… but now he seemed to be making her task more difficult on purpose. She finished picking up all the apples within reach and putting them in her bucket but he wouldn't let her move just a few steps over to pick more. Frustrated she finally asked, "Can we move to another spot please?"
"Patience" was all he said.
"And what exactly are we waiting for? If we move just two feet to the right I can get several more apples and maybe you could put that blade to good use and cut out any bad spots."
"If I move I'll have to find my angle again and I'm waiting for a flash." He answered in his usual tone of annoyed acceptance he used when answering most of her questions.
"What?" she looked around confused. Suddenly there were three small but bright flashes from the far woods just past the hill. "What was that?" she asked a bit worried. Were the demons coming back?
"Most likely Capt. Hawk. He's the best at signal communication and best at spotting abnormalities." He began rolling the blade in his fingers sending flashes back.
It was his actions more than his words that gave her the answer she was looking for. He was communicating with someone and the light was just a reflection of the sun off a shiny object.
"What did you say?" she asked when he was done.
"Send Hawk now."
"Why?"
"To vouch for me; he is one of my most trusted men and battle bonded."
She gave a snort remembering her one encounter with Hawk. "Figures," she said.
"Were you hoping for someone else?" there was a careful casualness about his words that just seemed off, maybe because he wasn't casual or used to asking questions, but she wasn't sure.
"No," she said a tad annoyed at not being able to figure out the purpose of his question, Takal never seemed to do anything without a purpose. Then nervous because she could still feel him watching her, she spilled out "I guess I would have expected you to send for Thorn you seemed close. It just figures that the guy who wanted to poke me full of arrows is your closest friend."
Takal grinned, "You gave him good reason to after taking out one of his men, unfortunately, he let you off with a warning instead."
"You knew?"
"Of course." He grinned again like he was full of secrets but would never share.
There was another set of flashes and he looked at them a bit puzzled.
"What is it?"
"On route, but if it's Capt. Hawk on route then who's sending the signal?" he wondered aloud suspiciously.
"He's probably just leaving now," she said shaking her head at his paranoia.
"Maybe." He said in a way that sounded like he didn't for a minute believe her theory could be right, but at the same time didn't want to start another argument or questions. He walked over to a spot with lots of apples and she got back to work as he got back to scanning the trees and hillside.
~Chapter 13: Awkward Conversations - Takal's part~
Nieka tried to yank his arm down with hers to state her annoyance, probably that she couldn't use her other hand to pick up apples because he wouldn't lean down. He didn't budge. Instead, he just stared out to the trees looking for a flash of light. She didn't get the hint and he had to answer another string of questions.
When he got the three rapid flashes back he began his actual message knowing the soldier was ready to receive. He couldn't know who was communicating back, but he hoped it was Hawk and not one of the young bucks that would just love to spread gossip about him. And not Thorn because he might offer to take his place and he was worried she might accept… and probably with less convincing.
With only one free arm, she could only pick one apple at a time and had to keep moving her bucket as she wandered through the fallen apples looking for good ones. She was clearly annoyed at the slow progress but wouldn't ask for help. He found her stubbornness amusing and made the mistake of laughing. Before his laugh even died down he was hit in the far shoulder by a mushy apple; it exploded adding another stickier smudge to his uniform. A bit shocked he followed his attacker to the press a tad disappointed he hadn't gotten a chance to retaliate.
Her mother came over with another two buckets handing one to Takal who nodded and got to work without a word looking slightly ashamed as her mother started helping. They worked in silence for only a minute before her mother asked in an overly casual tone "So El Takal how did you and my daughter, come to meet?
"I know there must be more to the story and I was hoping you could fill in some of the details." Her mother asked getting right to the meat of it all.
"Um…" There was uncertainty in his voice and she looked up amused at the situation as he likely wouldn't want to tell her mother he tacked her to the ground and held a knife to her throat until she passed out. No definitely not the best way to win over your future mother-in-law.
"A scout I was working with and I happened upon her as she was running through the woods. We had her checked out by our healers and when they cleared her two days later we brought her here."
"Well, you're about as vague as she is. It makes me wonder if you two are hiding something" her mother accused not satisfied with the answer.
"Fine, we got off to a bad start and fought all the time, this fake marriage probably won't even work unless we are on opposite sides of the castle on opposite shifts, but in battle, we were allies against a greater enemy and we need every asset we can get right now."
"There are three reasons that people fight: they're afraid, they're hurt or for fun. Anger is just a shield to protect our fear and our hurt. If you are fighting and you don't know why, you should think about why you are fighting." She poked him in the chest. "When you figure that out you can then contemplate why she is fighting you. You seem smart enough, I have faith you'll figure it out." She patted him on the shoulder before returning to the house.
This launched him into deep contemplation as he silently cleaned up the apples with his blade. He had thought she was a spy so he had feared her at least for the safety of the castle residence. But even with his doubts he still feared her, and maybe he was right too. For now, his life would never be the same, and he was afraid he was falling in love with her. Something he had never wanted to do. And now there was a new fear. What if she never learned to like him? What if she hated him forever? He did not like having so much fear, and they seemed like ridiculous fears even to him. But... was that why he always fought her?